Now, an intelligent plug to monitor electricity wastage in homes

Researchers at the University of Essex in UK are developing a high-tech plug that would allow householders to monitor the consumption of every electrical device in the home, thus putting an end to the wastage of electricity.

London, Jan 2 : Researchers at the University of Essex in UK are developing a high-tech plug that would allow householders to monitor the consumption of every electrical device in the home, thus putting an end to the wastage of electricity.

According to a report in the Science Reporter, each of the plugs will be fitted with a transmitter that will send signals to a central receiver where the householder can monitor use and wastage from every appliance. The monitor can detect when appliances are left on unnecessarily and beam instructions to switch them off.

The gadget, which is intended to use far less electricity than other less comprehensive gizmos, was described by its design team as a "Green Big Brother" that should take the effort out of switching off all unused appliances.

In fact, researchers are so confident in the gadget's potential that they believe it should be fitted as standard to all domestic appliances within a few years.

"Home-owners will be able to see how much power every single device uses," said John Woods, a researcher.

"You will be able to see if a fridge has failed, or if something has been left on that should not have been. It empowers people to make a real difference," he added.

According to the research, the aim of the development of these intelligent plugs is to reduce domestic energy consumption, which is responsible for a third of all the electricity used in Britain.

"The average household wastes £28 each year by leaving appliances on standby. Across the UK, this is equivalent to the annual output of more than two 700MW power stations," said a spokeswoman for the Energy Saving Trust.

The research team has already designed prototypes that will undergo a comprehensive test regime in the university's iS-pace department before mass production.

ANI